Hi all

My first post so please be kind :-)

My wife is running yoga classes that include remote attendees. I have so far used a webcam to capture the video but it is not ideal as it has no optical zoom and the low light capture isnt the best.

I want something that has a good optical zoom and will perform well in low light that can be mounted on a tripod so that I can capture her class. For audio I will be using a head set that connects back to the laptop. It would need to be mounted on a tripod.

Any suggestions on good options? I have a reasonable budget £2-300.

Thanks

Chris

Any modern camera with a HDMI out.

HDMI to computer box. Job done.

The Blackmagic interfaces are foolproof but maybe a little overkill for what you want.

Biggest differences is usually the lens rather than camera body.

Maybe look locally for a bargain used. A lot of camera people obsessively upgrade.

Canon or Nikon.

I would look into something like a 4K auto tracking camera.

I just successfully replaced my webcam with a used iPhone 11 Pro connected to a Lightning-to-HDMI adapter. You will also need an HDMI-to-USB3 adapter. Using the free Blackmagic Camera app gives lots of visual control options that the native Apple camera app doesn't.

This solution will meet your budget requirement, offers you three focal lengths (equiv to 13mm, 26mm, 52mm) and is easily mounted. Low light capability is pretty good in that matching the iPhone visual capability with pretty much anything else would cost considerably more.

Yeah sad to say but my iPhone often looks better than c.£10k of camera gear. Serious.

The software is so much faster than a photographer and I found this out the sad way by running a phone for safety and comparing to the big camera.

I would not shoot a movie on it (didn't someone get an Oscar for that?) but fine for documentary type stuff like yoga class.

you probably already have one...

To record yoga classes with good video quality, I would recommend a camera that combines a good optical zoom and recording capabilities in low light conditions. Additionally, it would be ideal if it has a versatile mounting system so you can easily set it up.

As for the equipment, many advanced security cameras offer features such as motorized zoom, stability in recordings, and ease of connection to other devices, which could be useful for your live classes. Although they are primarily designed for surveillance, some of these cameras offer excellent video quality and are easy to set up in different environments, making them a very valid option for what you need. I got mine for something similar: https://chicagosecuritypros.com/
Also, make sure the camera has HDMI output or another method of connection to your laptop, as this will make it easier to record your sessions in real-time.

I hope you find the perfect camera for your needs, and that your classes are a great success!